A Lib-Con deal? – 8 in the morning, April 26th

8amBy Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

* Nick Clegg has indicated that he would speak with the Tories about the formation of a majority government first if Labour were to come third in the popular vote.

* Peter Hain has said that the Lib Dem membership would not want to see Clegg do a deal with Cameron.

* A Lib-Con deal would not be sustainable, writes Jackie Ashley in the Guardian.

* A contest to succed Gordon Brown has “broken into the open”, reports the Times.

* Savage Tory cuts would “make Margaret Thatcher seem tame”, Ed Balls warned last night.

* Labour says to the media: Let’s focus on policy.

* Labour must do more to mobilise progressives, writes James Macintyre in the New Statesman.

* Michael Gove has refused to rule out nursery top up fees, reports Left Foot Forward.

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